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| I have 225 Optimax, Power head blew two years ago.... Had to work hard to have Merc cover cost of $10,000..... Merc did cover and gave 90 day warrenty on the new power head. Two years later, Power heads is blown again!! Delear repair quote is $8,000. The question is has anyone had any luck with Merc covering a second blown power head???? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks for any help! |
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Member
Posts: 591
Location: in the boat off the east shore somewhere | need to get some help from the dealer... as far as i know most all the buggs are out of that motor...with the exception of bad fuel (water) ethinal , the only guys i know that still blow them up have a history of the prop comming out of the water... anytime you have that kind of hp with no resistance on the prop you rpms go up way too fast... this should all be on record in the computer of the motor... take it in .. get a dealer to get behind you if you can... if your rpms went threw the roof a couple times you may be in trouble... good luck... these new motors run so lean and on such a fine line when the fuel is turned to a mist or vapor before it is injected that there isnt the cushon the older motors had... also pushing a twenty foot boat loads up that motor and if the prop comes out of the water the rpms go up so fast its all over before you get a chance to get off the throttle ... go easy on the equipment ... if im wrong and you baby the boat... im sorry for implying that you got a bit ruff with it ... sometimes they just go ... as do all of the motors.. just that these big ones in all brands are so expensive to replace... usta be smaller motors couple grand now turns into ten... not much fun.... good luck . |
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| Mercury did cover mine even though is was a month out of warranty. That is all I have to say on the subject. |
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| Partner's been through three 200 EFI's and one 200 Opti. Every instance has been a chore to get Merc to play ball. Not looking to start a flame war, but NO BLACK for this cat...I've seen and heard enough.
Regards,
xxl |
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| If your buddy has gone through 3 engines rebuilds he's doing something wrong to cause it. You take care of something and it will last!!!!! |
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| Thanks All,
Dealer is calling Merc.... Time will tell.
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| I don't think I have ever over reved the motor and have always used the Merc Optimax oil. I don't' baby the motor but I don't abuse it either. I Can't beleive this is my second round with this. |
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Member
Posts: 3899
| What year Opti? |
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| Origional 2000
New Power Head 2005
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| You're wrong if you think because it blew operator was doing something wrong or something with boat caused this. I've gone through 3 powerheads('02 Opti), the latest being this July with 70 hrs. on '06 powerhead-out of warranty for 4 months.
To make long story short, a lot of heated conversations with Mary Muhl(sp?) at Merc. customer service. My motor(s) was in 15 times since '02- a bit much. Anyhow, Merc. did this. First told me to pound salt, then came back with offer for rebuilt power head for $3,800, I told them to pound salt and demanded that they take the complete powerhead back to the plant for a full diagnosis. Deal was this. If Merc. finds that I or my boat was the cause, deal stands at $3,800. If Merc. is at fault they cover repair 100%. Then sent all "extremely detailed" repair data for 15 times in the shop. Sent to President of Merc and President of Cust. Serv. Not sure if they ever got there. Amazingly, about 2 wks. later, Merc. called, not only covering 100% but they decided to put an '06 remanufactured Opti Pro XS('02 Ranger 620) but with no warranty. Told me they couldn't determine cause of failure but yet they covered it completely. I belive this, Merc. has realized the regular Opti is underpowered for some of the larger boats that are weighted down fairly heavy. I think the regular Opti's have to work much harder- only my opinion. Ever since the Pro XS came out it seems that my Ranger dealer is pushing nothing but this motor. I can tell you that the XS vs the regular Opti are night and day different in power. The XS is unbelievably stronger out of the hole, it doesn't seem to labor at all.
Anyhow, in my opinion, Merc. came through but I had to fight, scratch, bite, call people names, everything under the sun to get this covered. At times, they were so cocky that their product couldn't fail 3 times and it was my, the boat, fuel, oil at fault, but not their parts/engineering. Guess their diagnosis proved different. The amazing part, I've never had anything go wrong with my Ranger product- now that's quality! |
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| Thanks Schrof!!
Are you saying Mec has coverd 3 blown powerheads on the same engine?
Merc has basically told me to pund salt... "they fixed it once and they are done".
I have gone through two levels of customer service and it seems my next course of action is also a letter to the President of Merc. I have also called my dealer on the sales end and they are also contacting Merc on my behalf. As I said earlier I don't abuse the motor and as I mostly fish small water, The total Hrs on my newest powe head must be very low. (getting that info from service now)
Your beleif is interesting as My Opti is also on a Ranger 620.... I also agree Ranger = Quality! |
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| Yes, 1st power head replacement was a remanufactured, next was a fully dressed '06, now they gave me a whole different motor- remanufactured '06 Opti XS. They were accusing me of not running enough oil, wrong gas...whatever they could come up with, just not their product. I asked them to give me the readings on oil, I told them if I need to have the fuel checked at an outside lab I will- I always use their fuel cleaner. Just a lot of threats that I was able to counter. All I can say is stay at it, call the "correct" people, send documents...etc.
Good luck.
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| Schrof,
Merc still not moving!!!.. Letter sent to President today!
Is it possible we could talk, if so please email Phone # to [email protected]
Thanks,
Joe |
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| Thanks to all who responded!!!!!
Mercury has made me a great offer on a new 2008 Optimax 225 Pro XS with warranty!!!!! They stepped up to the plate big time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I should be back in the water by Thanksgiving.
Tight Lines,
Joe B
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Member
Posts: 1040
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Wow, that's what you call stepping up to the plate! You will love that new Pro XS. Just wait till you lay the hammer down on that thing, you'll be thinking the wait was well worth it. Congrats again. |
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Location: Rhinelander | Very happy to hear you were taken care of and are satisfied, and you will really like that motor. |
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Member
Posts: 591
Location: in the boat off the east shore somewhere | wow thats a great ending to the story joe.... pro xs? sweeeet ! |
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Member
Posts: 2300
Location: Berlin | Wow, that is great news! So glad that worked out for you. I got no where with mine until my dealer stepped up to the plate for me. I was also happy when all was said and done. Congrats on the new motor! |
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| I had a similar experience, after 2 blown up 200 optimaxs'. I requested that it be replaced with a 200 classic, the carbureted version. Merc went for it, and I was reimbersed for the difference in price. Say what you will about the older carb versions, but it sure is reliable, and no more trips to the dealer to find out why the warning horn keeps going on. I figure I made 25 trips to my dealer during this ordeal, 35 miles one way. That was in 2005, I was pretty lucky to find a 200 classic. |
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Member
Posts: 859
Location: Appleton wi | And i'v had a merc optimax for 14months and its been flawless and i have friends with optimax that are 2 years old or less and not one has had a issue! I had a EFI for 4 years and i had one issue but dealer took care of the out of warranty at my expense.Gotta love the guest and the joe blows that are hiding behind no names!  |
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